FORMER military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed concern over the current insecurity and economic situation in the country, saying that it should be a source of concern to all Nigerians.
He also charged government at all levels to, as a matter of urgency, put an end to the ongoing cattle rustling, kidnappings and banditry, which he pointed out had claimed many innocent lives and properties worth millions Naira destroyed.
Babangida, in a statement in Minna, to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance week, urged all political leaders, traditional leaders, elder statesmen and the general society that the security of the country should be paramount to them.
According to the former leader, “In our collective and individual resolves to keep Nigeria’s unity, irrespective of sectional, religious, cultural leanings, we have to take bold steps to tackle the great challenges of insecurity and distrust to commensurate the sacrifices made by our armed security personnel.”
On the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance week, he said it came at a time when “our armed forces, military men and women are gaining more ground in the fight against insurgency and conflict-ridden areas of Nigeria”.
“As we celebrate, this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day, to take a stock of the unique supreme sacrifices paid by our men and women of the armed forces, especially the fallen heroes, to keep the country together, we should also commend the recent efforts of our gallant military for breaking the nerve centre of Boko Haram terrorists,” Babangida said.
He urged Nigerians, traditional, religious and opinion leaders to think “Nigeria’s unity first” and guard their utterances, so as not to plunge the country into further crisis.
While felicitating with the Armed Forces on the remembrance day celebration, he prayed for continued peace, unity and brotherhood among Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has appealed for special attention and support for both surviving and departed soldiers who fought for the peace, unity and progress of the country.
He made the passionate appeal during the launching of the 2017 official launch/sale of Poppy to mark the remembrance Appeal Week, held at Government House, Minna.
The governor, who was visibly emotional about the neglect of the nation’s fallen heroes and their dependants, said the trend must stop.”
“We should take care of our soldiers, both the ones in service and retired. There shouldn’t be any reason the officers have to beg for their entitlement. There is no reason why after serving the country for 35 years, risking one’s lives and when retired, one’s rightful entitlement becomes an issue,” the governor said.
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